Global Digital Marketplace Paving The Way For Financial Growth And Strategic SuccessCM Omar Abdullah meets delegates of World Craft CouncilIndia is home to more than 73,000 startups with at least one woman director, recognised under the Startup India initiative , the Ministry of Commerce & Industry stated on Wednesday. ET Year-end Special Reads It's all Gucci for Indians' luxury craving even as economy shows wrinkles Investing in 2025: Will domestic funds continue to counter FPI sell-offs amid rising valuations? 2024 exposed the underbelly of India's Silicon Valley The ministry, in a release, highlighted that this represents nearly half of the 1,57,066 startups supported by the government, underscoring the crucial role women play in driving innovation and economic growth. India has emerged as one of the most vibrant startup ecosystems globally, securing its position as the third-largest startup hub. With over 100 unicorns, the Indian startup landscape is shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurial spirit in India has undergone a paradigm shift over the last decade. Cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR have become epicentres of innovation. Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Entrepreneurship Crafting a Powerful Startup Value Proposition By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Collaborative AI Foundations: Working Smarter with Machines By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Web Development 12-Factor App Methodology: Principles and Guidelines By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Intermediate C++ Skills: Master Pointers, Structures and File Stream By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Soft Skills Cross-Cultural Communication Mastery: Connect with Confidence By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass By - CA Himanshu Jain, Ex McKinsey, Moody's, and PwC, Co - founder, The WallStreet School View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Strategy ESG and Business Sustainability Strategy By - Vipul Arora, Partner, ESG & Climate Solutions at Sattva Consulting Author I Speaker I Thought Leader View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Finance AI and Generative AI for Finance By - Hariom Tatsat, Vice President- Quantitative Analytics at Barclays View Program Entrepreneurship Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Web Development Advanced C++ Mastery: OOPs and Template Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Analysis Animated Visualizations with Flourish Studio: Beginner to Pro By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Tabnine AI Masterclass: Optimize Your Coding Efficiency By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program The widespread availability of affordable internet, coupled with a young and dynamic workforce, has fuelled the growth of startups in diverse sectors, including fintech, edtech, health tech, and ecommerce. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories According to the "Indian Startup Ecosystem Report" by Startup India, India's startups have leveraged emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and IoT to address both local and global challenges. This culture of innovation, supported by incubators, accelerators, and robust mentoring networks, has fostered a unique ecosystem that connects grassroots challenges with cutting-edge solutions. Recognising the transformative potential of startups, the Indian government has introduced several initiatives to support and nurture entrepreneurship. The flagship Startup India programme, launched in 2016, has been a cornerstone of this effort. As of December 25, 2024, 157,066 startups have been recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), with 759,303 users registered on the portal. The government has launched ambitious programmes to support the startup ecosystem through ease of doing business, tax benefits, funding support, sector-specific policies, and the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) platform. Additionally, initiatives such as the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) provide infrastructure and financial support to innovators. The Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth (SAMRIDH) scheme, launched in 2021, aims to support 300 software product startups over four years with an outlay of Rs 99 crore, offering funding of up to Rs 40 lakh per startup through accelerators to scale their businesses. Highlighting the success of new-age companies such as Byju's, Zomato, Ola, and Nykaa, the ministry noted that these startups have expanded their operations globally, showcasing India's ability to scale and compete on the world stage. The success of Indian-origin startups in Silicon Valley further underscores the country's global influence, the ministry added. According to the Startup India International Guide, Indian startups are increasingly partnering with global corporations and entering international markets. India's leadership in affordable technology solutions, such as UPI and aadhaar-enabled services, is inspiring similar innovations globally, the ministry added. Furthermore, India's unicorns are outpacing global peers in valuation growth, proving that the ecosystem's foundation is robust and scalable, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry concluded.

Govt confident of creating 2 lakh PACS before deadline, 10k new societies launched

24 Things That'll Upgrade Your Life For Less Than $5University of Phoenix Leadership Presents at 1EdTech

Donald Trump’s selection for the nation’s next top law enforcement official is expected to execute the “retribution” and “vengeance” he has promised against his political enemies. Now-former congressman Matt Gaetz — a Trump loyalist who spearheaded legal threats among House Republicans against the prosecutors and judges overseeing the criminal investigations against the former president — has withdrawn his name from consideration one week after Trump picked him for attorney general . A list of names in consideration for the role that circulated in the weeks leading up to Election Day did not include Gaetz, whose selection surprised members of Congress, where he remains under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct. The job now appears up for grabs. Trump’s next attorney general — among the most critical roles in his administration — is widely expected to defy the Justice Department’s independence and work closely with the White House to protect the president-elect’s agenda. A planning document titled “ Transition Planning: Legal Principles ” that was crafted by Trump’s top campaign advisers offered several potential picks for the job. The list includes Jeffrey Clark, who is among the president-elect’s criminally charged co-defendants in a sprawling election inference case in Georgia and an unindicted co-conspirator in the federal prosecution of the former president for his efforts to overturn election results. Clark, who previously served as assistant attorney general in Trump’s first administration, also worked at a right-wing think tank founded by Russell Vought, among the authors of Project 2025 and Trump’s pick for the next director of the Office of Management and Budget. The transition document also names District Judge Aileen Cannon, who dismissed Trump’s federal criminal case involving his possession of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Cannon was nominated to the judiciary in 2020. Former White House lawyer Mark Paoletta also appears on the list. Paoletta, who represented Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ wife Ginni during the House select committee investigation into January 6, has previously said it is the “constitutional duty” of the Department of Justice to implement Trump’s agenda. The former general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget in Trump’s first term has previously demanded Justice Department lawyers “be fully committed to implementing President Trump’s policies or they should leave or be fired.” The list also includes Trump’s criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche, who ultimately was nominated for deputy attorney general, the second-highest role at the Justice Department . Emil Bove, who along with Blanche defended Trump during the still-active hush money trial, was also nominated as principal deputy attorney general. Trump does not necessarily need to immediately fill the power vacuum for the top job. His two well-regarded attorneys — who have thus far kept him out of having to face any consequences for his criminal convictions — could fill acting roles at the top of the Justice Department while waiting for the nomination and confirmation of the next attorney general. Donald Trump Jr and Steve Bannon, meanwhile, have pushed for Trump’s legal ally Mike Davis as attorney general. Davis has recently threatened New York Attorney General Letitia James (“we will put your fat a** in prison”) and has vowed a “reign of terror” during the incoming administration. Matthew Whitaker was also considered a top contender for the role; Trump ultimately picked him for NATO ambassador. The former acting attorney general in Trump’s first administration has said that judges need to have a “biblical view of justice” and questioned the judgment of a secular judiciary. He also is on the board of America First Legal and chairs America First Policy Institute, groups that drafted policy documents for Trump’s administration while joining legal challenges against President Joe Biden. Media outlets and right-wing personalities have also offered up the names of several state attorneys general who have vigorously defended the former president. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has launched dozens of lawsuits against the Biden administration, including litigation against the president’s student loan debt relief plans and Title IX changes. He has also tried to inject himself in Trump’s criminal cases by demanding that judges lift gag orders against the former president. He testified in front of members of Congress about Trump’s criminal cases and called on the Justice Department to turn over files related to the special counsel’s investigations. Earlier this year, Trump himself said that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton would make a good candidate for attorney general. Paxton joined state attorneys general who launched a failed attempt to challenge Trump’s loss in four battleground states in 2020, and he spoke at the rally in Washington DC before a mob of Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6. Paxton also has cast himself as a victim of political persecution in a way that Trump has characterized the mountain of cases against him. Last year, Paxton was impeached, then acquitted, on allegations that he abused his power in office, and in March, prosecutors agreed to drop three felony securities fraud charges against him. Senator Mike Lee, a former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and a former federal prosecutor, has been floated among his GOP colleagues for next attorney general. The adversarial Republican from Utah is among Trump’s biggest cheerleaders in the upper chamber of Congress, and already has the support of some of his colleagues who could hear him out during confirmation hearings. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who is also the state’s former solicitor general, has also been floated as a possible contender.As 2024 comes to a close, it leaves behind lessons, achievements, and aspirations. It was a year that tested and inspired, laying the groundwork for a hopeful future. How’s that for an opener? Now, for the truth, 2024 has actually laid the groundwork for what will surely be nothing short of a disastrous 2025 with the newly appointed puppet Elon Musk and his golfing buddy. That said, this would be my last column of the year, and I typically do a recap... so this year will be no different... mainly. Once again, the losses mounted up with losing some of my favorite folks like Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, Bob Newhart, Richard Simmons, Martin Mull, Donald Sutherland and Richard Lewis. On the musical losses Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, Kris Kristofferson, Quincy Jones, and Toby Keith. Sports had its losses as well with Willie Mays, Jerry West, Dikembe Mutombo, Bill Walton, Pete Rose, and OJ Simpson departing this mortal coil. These individuals left indelible marks in their respective domains, and their contributions will be remembered and cherished by many. Except for OJ, that guy turned into a dumpster fire so I’m pretty sure we won’t miss him. On the political front... man! Where does one start? 2024 was a political rollercoaster that felt like a reality show no one auditioned for, but everyone watched. The U.S. presidential election was a circus of memes, debates, and awkward handshakes, with candidates trying to outdo each other in the gaff department all the while playing a game of one upmanship on a road of who could promise the most outrageous things while somehow forgetting about potholes. Voter turnout hit record highs, probably because everyone wanted a break from doomscrolling. Globally, leaders continued their game of "Whose Economy Is It Anyway?" pretending to be besties at climate summits. Meanwhile, tech billionaires tried their hand at diplomacy, though their "innovative solutions" often involved rebranding public transportation as "freedom pods." Social movements went viral in ways politicians could only dream of, as citizens made it clear they wanted change faster than a two-day shipping order. In brighter news, climate action made significant strides. International agreements saw nations committing to ambitious renewable energy goals, while advancements in green technology hinted at a cleaner, more sustainable future. However, climate disasters, from wildfires to devastating floods, served as stark reminders of the urgency of the crisis. But I don’t imagine that we’ll have much more of that as January comes to a close... at least here in the United States of Amnesia and Polarization. This new Covfefe Cabinet won’t offer much in the way of stopping or repairing the climate and if they do offer something, it will be drowned out by chants of “drill baby drill.” As we set our sights on 2025 and all it will bring you will find that, like 2024 and every year before it, it will be easy to go down a rabbit hole of negativity. So, focus on what you can control, setting realistic goals while embracing change and uncertainty as opportunities for growth. Build a strong support network of uplifting friends and family, and make sure that if they are in your boat, they are all rowing and not drilling holes. I imagine for most of us the national front will be the most distracting piece, and it will be hard to not focus on it. I’m not saying don’t, I’m saying that staying informed through reliable sources and focusing on solutions rather than fear and narrative is what will keep your head above water. It will be hard not to get sucked into statements like, “building a wall and having Mexico pay for it.” These statements are non-starters, but sound good when said out loud. Much like placing huge tariffs on Mexico and Canada, it won’t happen and the sooner that we accept that our government simply says one thing and does another the better off we’ll be. Personally, I’m going to work hard on not getting sucked into doom talk and focus more on being more informed about what is happening. Abraham Lincoln once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Happy New Year.

$1 million per homer? $27,000 a point? $229 per second? Sports is loaded with money oddities If Juan Soto replicates his 2024 performance throughout his $765 million, 15-year deal with the Mets, he'll make roughly $1.2 million for every home run he hits. He's hardly the only superstar athlete earning outrageous sums for each of his accomplishments. Some NFL quarterbacks make more than $3 million per game. Stephen Curry could make roughly $161,000 per 3-pointer. This past regular season, Lionel Messi earned $229 for every second he was on the field with Inter Miami. Is the College Football Playoff bracket fair? Here are some tweaks that would have changed things The committee that chose the 12 contenders for college football’s national title was only worried about ranking the teams. Where those teams landed in the bracket was based on a formula created by conference commissioners. That jumbled up the pairings and made a strong case for tinkering in the future. Some possible tweaks, like reseeding after the first round or not giving conference champions automatic byes, would have resulted in a vastly different tournament this year, Belichick says he's had 'good conversations' with UNC chancellor amid Tar Heels' coaching search Former New England Patriots coach and six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick says he had “a couple of good conversations” with North Carolina Chancellor Lee Roberts amid his discussions about the Tar Heels’ head-coaching job. Belichick appeared on ESPN's “The Pat McAfee Show" on Monday. He said he had spent the 11 months since his departure from the Patriots taking a “longer look” at the college level. He said he had learned a lot and had “a couple of good conversations" with Roberts. UNC fired the program's all-time winningest coach in Mack Brown last month. Cowboys set to host Bengals under open roof after falling debris thwarted that plan against Texans ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The roof at the home of the Dallas Cowboys has opened without incident and will stay that way for a Monday night meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals. It will be the first game with the roof open at AT&T Stadium since Oct. 30, 2022. The roof was supposed to be open three weeks ago for Houston’s 34-10 victory on another Monday night. A large piece of metal and other debris fell roughly 300 feet to the field as the retractable roof was opening. The roof was then closed for that game. Tennessee grabs No. 1 in AP Top 25 after shakeup; No. 3 Iowa State has highest ranking since 1950s Tennessee is the new No. 1 in men's college basketball after a massive shakeup in the AP Top 25. The Vols are No. 1 for the first time since the 2018-19 season. Auburn remained No. 2 and No. 3 Iowa State has its highest ranking since 1956-57. Kentucky rounds out the top five. Tennessee is off to its best start since opening the 2000-01 season 9-0. Georgia QB Carson Beck's status for Sugar Bowl uncertain as he considers treatment options on elbow ATLANTA (AP) — Quarterback Carson Beck’s status for No. 2 Georgia’s Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal is uncertain after he suffered an elbow injury in Saturday’s Southeastern Conference championship game win over Texas. Georgia announced Monday there is no timetable on Beck’s return as he and his family explore treatment options. Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Sunday the team was awaiting results of tests. The school did not announce details of the injury. Punter Brett Thorson will need season-ending surgery after injuring his non-kicking leg. Backup Gunner Stockton likely would start in the Sugar Bowl if Beck is unable to play. Another final-second victory puts the Chiefs in prime spot to secure AFC's No. 1 seed: Analysis A thunderous doink helped the Kansas City Chiefs gain some breathing room in the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC after the Buffalo Bills fell short despite Josh Allen’s spectacular performance. The fight for the top spot in the NFC stayed close as the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles kept pace with the Detroit Lions. Four weeks remain in the NFL regular season to determine the playoff picture. There’s a clear leader in the fight for the AFC’s bye. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs are 12-1 and in excellent position to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs after a 19-17 win with a last-second field goal over the Los Angeles Chargers. No. 19 Tennessee back in women's AP Top 25 after year out of poll; UCLA, UConn remain 1-2 Tennessee is back in the AP Top 25 at No. 19, ending the school’s longest drought in the 48-year history of the women’s basketball poll. The Lady Vols (7-0) had not been ranked since Nov. 27, 2023, a span of 22 polls. Since the rankings began in 1976, Tennessee has been in the Top 25 in 779 of 870 total weeks. UCLA, UConn and South Carolina remain the top three teams and Oklahoma has cracked the top 10. Georgia Tech and N.C. State entered the rankings while Illinois, Louisville and Alabama fell out. College football transfer portal opens as Oklahoma's Arnold, other top players look for a move The college football transfer portal has opened a day after the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff field was released. The portal period closes on Dec. 28. Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold, Texas State running back Ismail Mahdi, Miami (Ohio) wide receiver Reggie Virgil and Ohio State QB Devin Brown were among the first players who entered the portal. The sophomore Arnold passed for 1,984 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions and ran for 560 yards and four scores at Oklahoma. Mahdi led the nation with 2,169 all-purpose yards last season. Brown entered the transfer portal after three years as a backup. Saquon Barkley is chasing Eric Dickerson's NFL season rushing record. Can he do it? PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is closing in on the NFL season rushing record. Barkley set the Eagles' franchise record when he rushed for 124 yards and pushed his season total to 1,623 yards in a win against Carolina. Barkley also maintained his pace to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984 with the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley is averaging 124.8 yards per game. At that pace and with one more game to play than Dickerson had, Barkley would become the top single-season rusher in NFL history. He needs 483 yards over the final four games to top Dickerson’s 40-year-old record. Barkley is on pace for 2,122 yards, just 17 yards beyond Dickerson’s 2,105 total.

Carnival Cruise Line makes a massive change to onboard casinos

Share Tweet Share Share Email Have you been following Hedera’s dramatic rise lately? Its value has surged by a jaw-dropping 460% in just a month, thanks to strategic partnerships and growing institutional interest. Then there’s Polygon, rolling out its ambitious Polygon 2.0 upgrade, which aims to revolutionise scalability and interoperability within the blockchain world. These projects are catching the eye of investors across the globe. But let’s not overlook the newest player on the block— Qubetics ($TICS) . This innovative project is tackling some of the toughest challenges in the blockchain space, offering real-world solutions where others have fallen short. With its presale already attracting significant attention, Qubetics is setting itself apart as one of the best coins for exponential returns in the crypto market today. Qubetics and the QubeQode IDE Qubetics is all about making blockchain technology more accessible and effective for businesses and individuals alike. At the heart of this mission is the QubeQode IDE —a user-friendly development environment that takes the complexity out of creating and deploying blockchain applications. Imagine a small business that wants to create a blockchain-based loyalty programme but doesn’t have the resources to hire a technical team. With QubeQode IDE, they can use drag-and-drop components to build applications effortlessly. Features like pre-built user authentication and token management systems make it simple to integrate blockchain functionality into real-world projects. For example, a retailer could quickly set up a rewards system that tokenises customer points, making the experience seamless and efficient for users. The presale for $TICS is currently in its 12th stage, with over 300 million tokens sold to more than 8,000 holders. So far, the presale has raised over $5.3 million, and the current price of $TICS is $0.031 per token. The stages last only seven days, ending each Sunday at midnight, with a consistent 10% price hike for the next stage. Let’s break this down with a practical example. If someone invests $560,000 at the current price, they’d receive roughly 18,064,516 tokens. By the time the presale price reaches $0.25 per token, this investment would be worth $4,516,129, delivering a 703.21% return on investment. And that’s just the presale—analysts predict even higher gains, with $TICS potentially reaching $15 post-mainnet launch, which translates to a staggering 48,092.91% ROI. If you’d like to learn more about this project, you can check out this video for additional details. Hedera’s Recent Surge and Strategic Positioning Hedera, the blockchain platform known for its decentralised governance and enterprise-focused solutions, has seen a meteoric rise recently. Its token, HBAR, experienced a 460% price surge in just one month. This growth can be attributed to rumours of new partnerships and increased adoption by institutional players. One significant factor driving Hedera’s success is its unique governance structure, which includes giants like Google and IBM. This makes it particularly attractive for enterprises seeking reliability and scalability in their blockchain solutions. Hedera is also heavily involved in tokenisation projects, enabling businesses to digitise real-world assets securely and transparently. Additionally, there’s excitement around a proposed Hedera-based exchange-traded fund (ETF). If approved, this could bring more mainstream attention to the platform, boosting both liquidity and adoption rates. With its focus on real-world utility and growing enterprise interest, Hedera continues to solidify its position as a key player in the blockchain ecosystem. Polygon’s Evolution with Polygon 2.0 Polygon, already a powerhouse in the blockchain world, is undergoing a massive transformation with its Polygon 2.0 upgrade. This initiative introduces POL as its new native token, replacing MATIC, and integrates advanced zero-knowledge technology to improve scalability and security. Polygon 2.0 isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a reimagining of the entire ecosystem. By introducing a network of Layer 2 chains, Polygon aims to provide faster transactions and greater interoperability within the Ethereum ecosystem. This is a huge step forward for developers looking to build robust decentralised applications. Another exciting development is the migration from MATIC to POL, which reflects the platform’s commitment to innovation. With the rollout of Polygon 2.0, the blockchain is positioning itself to handle the growing demands of the Web3 era, making it an excellent candidate for investors seeking exponential returns. Why These Coins Are the Best for Exponential Returns In today’s fast-paced crypto market, projects like Qubetics, Hedera, and Polygon offer unique opportunities for exponential returns. Qubetics shines with its revolutionary QubeQode IDE and the potential for massive ROI during and after its presale. Hedera’s recent surge and enterprise focus make it an attractive choice, while Polygon’s transformative upgrades ensure it remains a leading force in the blockchain space. For those looking to capitalise on the next wave of blockchain innovation, these three coins present compelling options. Just remember, thorough research and careful planning are key to navigating the volatile crypto market. For More Information: Qubetics: https://qubetics.com/ Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://twitter.com/qubetics Related Items: Blockchain , Qubetic Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Best Coins to Invest in for Short Term: Qubetics’ QubeQode, Binance’s Exchange Power, and Bitcoin Cash’s Speed What Are the Best Crypto Coins to Buy in December? Qubetics Surges While Solana Targets Speed and Polygon Expands Institutional DeFi Solutions CommentsNoneThe 2024 US presidential election has delivered a result that has been described by analysts across the Atlantic as a political earthquake. The outright victory in both electoral and popular votes, coupled with the Republicans snatching both House and Senate ensure that Trump has complete control of decision-making institutions, a reality that has sent shockwaves across the globe. This result gives Europe little time to think, but an urgency to act. As Trump counts the days to get back to the Oval Office, Europe must wake up to the stark reality that it is now, largely, on its own. This could spell trouble for the old continent, or in what would be a significant twist of fate, Europe could seize the moment to carve out a more assertive role on the world stage. During his first term, Trump pushed ahead his America First agenda, an incongruous foreign policy approach which was mainly characterised by a general disinterest in multilateral accords. Not only he demanded NATO allies to increase their defence spending, but he actually took the United States out of several major institutions and agreements, such as the Human Rights Council, the Paris Climate Accords, the Open Skies Treaty, as well as the World Health Organisation, though this last decision was overturned by Joe Biden before it could be implemented. This approach, couple with a disinterest in regional wars happening beyond America’s range of interest, does not bode well for his relationship with Europe in the years ahead. This situation calls on Europe to embark a path of greater self-reliance. Some would say – this should have happened long time ago. But Trump’s NATO doubts and his half-hearted commitment to long-standing alliances might act as a much-needed nudge for Europe to stand on its own two feet, boost its own defence capabilities and achieve more self-sufficiency in security. This could revitalise the EU’s plans to build a stronger European Defence Union and enhance its military strength, ultimately decreasing dependence on the U.S. and solidifying Europe’s role as a key player in global security. This is not just about military prowess. Trump – and several of his appointees for top Cabinet posts, appear to veer towards a tough stance on trade, meaning America is likely to come up again with tariffs and protectionist measures that disrupted global markets. While Europe may face renewed pressure from Washington on trade issues, this could also be a catalyst for the EU to diversify its economic partnerships. The need to reduce dependence on the American market might encourage Europe to strengthen its ties with emerging economies such as Asia, Latin America and Africa, tapping into new growth opportunities and enhancing its economic resilience. This is obviously easier said than done. Perfect example of this is the long-coming EU-Mercosur agreement which France continuous to stall as it seeks to appease its large agricultural sector and angry farmers. Despite this setback, Europe should also wield its soft power to consolidate its own alliances. Faced with an unpredictable ally in Washington, the EU has an opportunity to strengthen its relationships with like-minded partners. Whether through reinforcing its ties with Canada, Japan and Australia, or deepening its engagement with emerging powers in the Global South, Europe can pursue a strategy of building a broader coalition of allies committed to multilateralism, free trade and sustainable development. With Trump seemingly more interested in pumping more oil and gas, Europe should be taking global leadership in driving the planet towards a greener and healthier future. If Trump’s pre-electoral pledges are to be considered as an indication of planned future action, the upcoming White House administration is unlikely to align with Europe’s ambitious climate goals. This divergence could serve as an incentive for the EU to double down on its Green Deal, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable development. By pushing forward with renewable energy investments and green technologies, Europe has the chance to set global standards, attracting investment and driving innovation in sectors that will define the future economy. The challenge here will be to avoid going through what some might describe as the typical EU path of over-regulating the industry, stifling it at inception stage. The road ahead will be a bumpy one. The biggest issue with Trump is that you never really know what to except, making it harder to plan ahead. However, it is hard to escape the inevitable clear message: the era of relying on the United States as the cornerstone of European security and prosperity is fading. This is a moment for Europe to redefine itself, to rise to the occasion, and to become a point of reference in global affairs. In many ways, Trump’s re-election is not just his moment; it is also Europe’s moment. It is a chance for the EU to step out of the shadows of American leadership and take on a more prominent role in asserting its values to shape, in non-confrontational ways, the world order. By investing in defence, diversifying trade partnerships, and leading on climate action, Europe can turn the challenges of a second Trump term into an opportunity for renewal and reinvention. The next four years will test Europe’s resolve, but they could also prove to be the catalyst for a stronger, more united continent. As Trump begins his second term, Europe stands at a crossroads. Will it seek to adapt what it believes in to please an increasingly unpredictable ally, or will it seize this moment to forge a new path towards strategic autonomy and global leadership? The choice is Europe’s to make – and the time to act is now. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.Just five companies are expected to grab more than half of global ad dollars this year, with the advertising industry set to exceed $1 trillion in revenue for the first time. Those companies include ( ), ( ) and ( ), along with China's ( ) and privately held ByteDance, the Financial Times reported, citing a new Group M report. Those five leaders are far different from the traditional Big 5 ad agencies that dominated the pre-social media advertising landscape. As a result, traditional players are regrouping as Big Tech and artificial intelligence continue to ascend in (and disrupt) the global advertising market. One of the fastest-rising names on the S&P 500 Monday was ( ), one of the world's largest legacy ad agencies, which announced plans to merge with peer ( ). Digital Pushes Advertising Industry Above $1 Trillion Media agency GroupM issued a report estimating that global advertising revenue will rise 9.5% in 2024, climbing a further 7.7% in 2025 to $1.1 trillion. Digital advertising continues to power growth at the expense of traditional advertising channels such as television, print and radio. The firm said in a new report that digital advertising will account for 73% of total advertising in 2025 and almost 77% in 2029. Advertising growth is outpacing GroupM's expectations despite macroeconomic uncertainties in major ad markets. It expects most of the growth to benefit the largest sellers of digital advertising from the technology sector — such as Alphabet's YouTube, Meta's Facebook and ByteDance's TikTok — rather than advertising agencies and other marketing service providers. But the report warned that possible tariff wars and a stronger dollar after Donald Trump's presidential election win could chill the advertising market. Alphabet stock rose less than 1% on Monday, trading about 4% below a 182.49 buy point. Meta fell in buy range. Omnicom And Interpublic To Merge On Monday, Omnicom Group said that it has agreed to buy rival Interpublic Group in a $13.25 billion, all-stock deal. The merger of the two major ad agencies would create the world's largest advertising company, with more than $25 billion in combined revenue. It would reduce the traditional "Big 5" ad agencies to the "Big 4." Interpublic investors would receive 0.344 Omnicom shares for each share held. The deal is expected to be accretive to earnings for shareholders of both companies, according to their news release. Interpublic stock surged 13% in early trade Monday, trimming that gain to 3.5% at the close. Omnicom sank more than 10%. "We are pretty confident this is not going to create any regulatory issues," Reuters quoted Omnicom CEO John Wren telling analysts on a call. "The world isn't divided into four companies — you have things like Google, Facebook, Amazon ... servicing people's marketing needs," Wren added. 'Top Stocks For E-commerce Growth' Meanwhile, e-commerce sales continue to fuel digital retail advertising growth. In a note to clients on Monday, Bank of America analysts projected that global e-commerce will grow 8% through 2030, with the e-commerce share of total retail sales expanding to 29%. The firm named Amazon and Alibaba as "our top stocks for global e-commerce growth and earnings exposure," along with smaller internet retailers ( ), Korea's ( ), and Singapore-based ( ). Amazon stock pegged a new high on Monday, building on a successful November earnings breakout. But it closed fractionally lower. , still below a falling 50-day moving average. But Chewy, Coupang and Sea shares fell. as well. Both ( ) and ( ) have blurred the lines between offline and online retail. Shares of Walmart fell on Monday, after chalking up record highs every day last week. Costco also retreated.